Zhamanshin (Kazakh: Жаман шың, romanizedJaman shun) is a meteorite crater in Kazakhstan. It is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be 900,000 ± 100,000 years (Pleistocene). The crater is exposed at the surface.[1]

Zhamanshin crater
Jaman şıñ
Impact glass from the Zhamanshin impact site
Impact crater/structure
ConfidenceConfirmed
Diameter14 km (8.7 mi)
Age900,000 ± 100,000 years
Mid Pleistocene
ExposedYes
DrilledYes
Bolide typeChondrite
Location
Coordinates48°24′N 60°58′E / 48.400°N 60.967°E / 48.400; 60.967
CountryKazakhstan
StateAktobe Region
Zhamanshin crater is located in Kazakhstan
Zhamanshin crater
Location of the crater in Kazakhstan

Description

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It is believed that the Zhamanshin crater is the site of the most recent meteorite impact event of the magnitude that could have produced a disruption comparable to that of a nuclear winter, but it was not sufficiently large enough to have caused a mass extinction.[2]

Preliminary papers in the late 1970s suggested either Elgygytgyn,[3] or Zhamanshin,[4] as the source of the Australasian strewnfield.

References

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  1. ^ "Zhamanshin". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  2. ^ Essay "Impact Cratering on Earth", based on: R.A.F. Grieve, 1990, Impact cratering on the Earth, Scientific American, v. 262, 66-73. Archived 23 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ R.S. Dietz (1977), Elgygytgyn Crater, Siberia: Probable Source Of Australasian Tektite Field Meteoritics, June 1977, Vol 12, Issue 2, p. 145–157
  4. ^ B.P. Glass (1979), Zhamanshin crater, a possible source of Australasian tektites? Geology, July 1979, v. 7, p. 351-353